Morning Read: We are (almost the) champions
It’s a sports-page edition of the Morning Read today.
The Saranac Lake Red Storm pulled off one of the most dramatic come-from-behind wins in North Country football history on Saturday to top Hoosick Falls.
This from the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
Forrest Morgan kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime Saturday to send the Red Storm to the Class C state final four with a 15-12 victory over Hoosick Falls in front of packed stadium at AuSable Valley High School.
The Red Storm advance to play Bronxville next Saturday in Kingston. They’re one of just four teams in the state still in the hunt for a state championship.
Meanwhile, in Class D competition, the Moriah Vikings also fought down to the wire, advancing to the final four after a victory in Schuylerville. This from the Plattsburgh Press-Republican.
[Nick] Gilbo ran for a season-high 170 yards and two touchdowns, and Moriah’s defense stiffened at critical junctures, including a stop near the end zone in the final two minutes, in a 14-6 NYSPHSAA Class D regional final victory Saturday.
I was in Moriah a couple of weeks ago to watch these two teams play each other. A couple of fierce high school squads.
Tags: adirondacks, sports
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Brian Mann is clearly not maintaining journalistic neutrality. We know who he’s rooting for here.
these north country football teams have become a metaphor for the communities they represent.
in the case of SL, a team that was down and nearly out refused to quit. these kids probably learned that from their parents and grandparents.
don’t tell them they can’t overcome the odds in the 4th quarter when their families probably have been overcoming odds for generations. they are teaching us the value of creating a break, taking advantage of it, re-grouping and achieving.
in this run to hopefully a state title, the red storm has done for their village more than they’ll ever know. at the same time they give us a reprieve from the local news headlines, they show us that we can overcome those headlines.
they tell us we can’t quit because there’s too much work still to be done.
these are the traits that will take the team through the next 2 games. and when their playing days are over, these will be the same characteristics that will make them good businessmen, husbands, fathers, civic leaders, coaches, friends.
lots of good comes from a season like this that extends beyond the goal posts. and maybe lots more good still to come.